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Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

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Old 12-08-18, 10:13 PM
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Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

**SPOILERS WITHIN**

Please continue pre-release discussion here.

Movie:
"Bumblebee" (Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Justin Theroux, Angela Bassett, Optimus Prime, Soundwave, Ravage along with more autobots/decepticons)

Release Date:
12/08/18 - Early Access Date
12/21/18 - US Official Date

Rating:
PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi action violence)

Running Time:
113 min. (1h. 53m.)

Budget:
$128 Million (estimated)

IMDb Synopsis:
Spoiler:
On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns this is no ordinary, yellow VW bug.


IMDb Info and Rating:
(7.3/10 as of 12/22/18)

Rotten Tomatoes:
Fresh:139 Rotten:9(94% as of 12/22/18)

Metacritic:
66 metascore(as of 12/22/18)

Trailer:


Poster Art:

Last edited by candyrocket786; 12-22-18 at 01:03 AM.
Old 12-08-18, 10:35 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

I fucking loved it! The G1 scenes were absolute perfection. Damn, I had my hands up during that opening battle. So many characters. Cliff Jumper... fucking Cliff Jumper is in this film!!!!

This is the Transformers film that should've been made back in '07.

The scene with with Bee driving along side Optimus was pretty much the ultimate FUCK YOU to Bay and his team. Yes... a red, Freightliner truck would've worked and would've looked great on-screen.

I also think this film is some sort of hybrid-reboot based on the final scene with Bumblebee (Camaro design), Optimus (Freightliner design) and the other autobots landing on earth and some nods to the Bay films (Simmons, Chicago, S7, etc.)

Last edited by candyrocket786; 12-23-18 at 05:21 PM.
Old 12-08-18, 10:58 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

This really isn’t saying much, but this was far better than any of the Bay Transformer movies. Again, that’s not saying much at all.
Old 12-09-18, 08:30 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Reviews have started rolling in, 100% so far: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bumblebee

Though with only 12 reviews so far.

Last edited by RichC2; 12-09-18 at 08:39 AM.
Old 12-09-18, 06:15 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Nice format Candy. I’m gonna have to look into copyright infringement. You bucking for my job??
Old 12-09-18, 07:28 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by OldBoy
Nice format Candy. I’m gonna have to look into copyright infringement. You bucking for my job??
I needed to redeem myself after that Fallen Kingdom fuckup.

Also figured it was the standard DVD talk template
Old 12-09-18, 11:03 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Over 255 user reviews at Atom Tickets - 4.5 out of 5
(some may contain spoilers)

https://www.atomtickets.com/movies/b...500187/reviews
Old 12-10-18, 10:20 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

“In a better, truer cinematic universe, Travis Knight would have been in charge of the Transformers franchise all along,” writes The Guardian.
The Hollywood reporter says it as ‘all the action and twice the charm of its predecessors.

“With Paramount’s planned Transformers 7 project shelved for now, Bumblebee could represent the studio’s next best chance to extend the franchise, if audiences throw their support behind the latest reimagining of the iconic entertainment property,” it goes on.
Old 12-10-18, 10:56 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

It sort of feels like this film is about 10 years too late. I do plan to see it again when it officially opens.

Last edited by candyrocket786; 12-11-18 at 01:52 AM.
Old 12-11-18, 01:23 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by candyrocket786
I fucking loved it! The G1 scenes were absolute perfection. Damn, I had my hands up during that opening battle. So many characters.
Spoiler:
Cliff Jumper... fucking Cliff Jumper
is in this film!!!!
Always had love for that character as well as Brawn.
Old 12-19-18, 09:02 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Still holding at 93%.
Old 12-20-18, 09:15 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Old 12-20-18, 09:47 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

I saw this tonight and the nostalgia level was on overload. Lots of throwbacks, nods, and a few throw-forwards. I'll probably need to see it again to give it an honest rating past the nostalgia, but coming out of it, I really enjoyed it.

BumbleBee kept healing himself somehow (the girl helped sometimes too), and I don't really get that. And some of the comedy was rolleyes over the top, but it was playful enough to enjoy.

And someone finally said the line a lot of us have all thought or said at some point...

Spoiler:
"Hello, they call themselves Deceipticons... Shouldn't that throw up a flag?!?"
Old 12-21-18, 09:30 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Plan to see this tomorrow morning. I'm excited to see this. Happy to see a Transformers movie actually have positive buzz.
Old 12-22-18, 10:42 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

From my review page ORBI-WAN GOES TO THE MOVIES:

BUMBLEBEE (PG-13) - A welcome break from the constant bombastic bombardment of back-to-back action scenes we’ve come to expect from movies about our favorite “robots-in-disguise”, instead focusing on the friendship between Bee and his bestie, Charlie.

Make no mistake, this is definitely a Transformers movie, and with lots of morphing, Decepticons and Autobots in battle, Earth in danger, and yes, even Optimus Prime (though briefly). The difference here is a sweet story of how Bee gets to Earth, loses his voice, and bonds with a troubled, grieving teen on her 18th birthday.

As the film opens, Cybertron has fallen to the Decepticon. Prime (Peter Cullen) sends young soldier B-127 (Dylan O’brien) ahead to Earth to protect us from eventual Decepticon attack and prep a refuge for fleeing Autobots. Bee crashes in the middle of a government training mission led by Agent Burns (John Cena), who immediately views the giant yellow bot as a threat. As Bee eludes the soldiers, he is captured by a Decepticon who severely injures Bee and leaves him for dead. As his systems shut down, he scans and takes the shape of a nearby Volkswagen Beetle.

A while later, he is rescued from a junkyard by Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld), a mechanically-inclined teen just turning 18, who is still deeply grieving the death of her father two years earlier, although her mother and brother seemed to have moved on. The movie wastes no time in allowing Bee to reveal his true form to Charlie, and the two form a deep bond of trust in a short amount of time. The two are also eventually joined by Memo (Jorge Lendeborg Jr.), who is is puppy-love with Charlie, but she keeps him in the friend-zone.

Meanwhile, Decepticons Shatter (Angela Bassett) and Dropkick (Justin Theroux) arrive on Earth, and negotiate with the government to hunt down Bee and other Autobots who may have already landed, in exchange for integrating their advanced tech with our own 80’s era surveillance satellites and other technology.

Despite all of these developments, the story continues to refocus the plot on Charlie and Bumblebee, and in its best moments, fondly recalls some of the Ambling Entertainment features from the 80s (including a very funny slapstick sequence of an oversized Bee disastrously exploring Charlie’s house.) The infrequent but intense scenes of Autobots being questioned and tortured, and Bee’s own interrogation will certainly upset the younger fans, so keep this in mind.

Overall, though, Bumblebee is filled with heart and humor, a bit of action, and even a touch of sadness. It’s very well done, and I definitely cared about the relationship between the girl and her VW bug. I am giving Bumblebee a 3.5 out of 5 lightsabers.

NOTES TO PARENTS (Mild Spoilers): Bumblebee is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action mayhem and violence, some intense scenes, and mild language. “S**t” is used twice, with“h**l” and “d**n” used a half dozen times each. “Freakin’” is also used once as a euphemism. Lots of explosions and shooting throughout the film, but not as much as in previous movies. The robot-on-robot violence depicted is the worst of it, with some dismemberment and other damage. An Autobot is cut in half. When he first arrives on Earth, Bee has to protect himself from gunfire from a military unit. A Decepticon severely injures Bee, removes his vocal unit, and throws him off a cliff. Another Decepticon blasts two humans into a gooey splatter in two separate scenes. The military captures Bee using taser-like weapons, and Charlie and Memo are injured as well. Two Decepticons interrogate Bee in a very intense scene that may be upsetting for younger viewers. Bee gets into an extended battle with the same two Decepticons.

MID- and AFTER-CREDIT SCENES: There are two or three wrap-up and call-back scenes just before the credits roll, but no mid- or after-credit scenes.

LIKE the page ORBI-WAN GOES TO THE MOVIES, and SHARE it with family and friends.

ORB-WAN GOES TO THE MOVIES is protected under Creative Commons.

Last edited by Orbi-Wan Techno; 12-22-18 at 12:11 PM.
Old 12-22-18, 11:14 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

How is John Cena in the film? He always comes off as awkward and stiff.
Old 12-22-18, 02:33 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Sonny Corinthos
How is John Cena in the film? He always comes off as awkward and stiff.
He's actually decent in this one.
Old 12-22-18, 03:27 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Sonny Corinthos
How is John Cena in the film? He always comes off as awkward and stiff.
He is a bit stiff, but he's playing a military leader, so it works okay.
Old 12-22-18, 03:39 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Just got back from a matinee. Really enjoyed it. Travis Knight has IMO righted this broken franchise. And yes, it’s a complete reboot and reset of the series.

Has heart, humor and Steinfeld is terrific as the lead. Loved the little call backs as well. Especially playing the 1986 Transformers song. And you care about the human characters, especially Steinfeld’s Charlie.

Also terrific 80s soundtrack. This is what the Bay series should have done instead of going way overboard with the destruction and battle porn.

Im actually giving it an A

Last edited by DJariya; 12-22-18 at 05:36 PM.
Old 12-22-18, 10:52 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Cena was terrible in this, i don’t understand why they chose him

He didn’t ruin the movie though

I really like the first Transformers but this is just a better movie overall
Old 12-23-18, 03:43 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Loved it. Not only the best Transformers movie but a great movie overall.

Oh and look: G1 designs totally work in a live-action movie. So fuck you for your digital vomit versions, Michael Bay. Things like the jets being in their “triangle” forms st the beginning to Soundwave releasing Ravage (my two favorite Transformers) made my inner 80s child weep with joy.

Seeing an actual Optimus Prime truck (and again, not the Bay monstrosity) at the end was just icing on the cake.

Last edited by Draven; 12-23-18 at 05:14 PM.
Old 12-23-18, 05:20 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Originally Posted by Draven
Loved it. Not only the best Transformers movie but a great movie overall.

Oh and look: G1 designs totally work in a live-action movie. So fuck you for your digital vomit versions, Michael Bay. Things like the jets being in their “triangle” forms st the beginning to Soundwave releasing Ravage (my two favorite Transformers) made my inner 80s child weep with joy.

Seeing an actual Optimus Prime truck (and again, not the Bay monstrosity) at the end was just icing on the cake.


Old 12-24-18, 02:05 AM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

I don't get the reviews this movie is getting. I thought it a pretty tired superhero film with a worn out plot and cliche after cliche. It wasn't as bad as most of the Bay films. But it wasn't much better either.

5.5/10
Old 12-24-18, 12:07 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

Far better than the Michael Bay-directed films, it accomplishes a lot more by doing "less". The battles are much easier to follow and are more satisfying. That being said, the movie sort of treads back-and-forth between skewing toward "Younger Audiences" and being too "Juvenile". It's probably just right for its intended audience, but as an old guy it just didn't carry enough weight for me to be fully satisfying (the character stuff is pleasant but a little too simply drawn, as are the Decepticons and their schemes as villains).
Old 12-24-18, 03:02 PM
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Re: Bumblebee (2018, D: Travis Knight) - The Spoiler Filled Reviews Thread

I'm actually interested in seeing this one after reading some of the positive reviews. I gave up on the Bay movies after the second one. The first one was disappointing and the second was utter shit. Glad they got a different director for this.


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